Lee's Summit R-7 School District: Why Do Small School Districts Do More?
I was at the Lake of the Ozarks this weekend. I have sixteen acres down there. It's not on the water. It is in the woods and it is peaceful and quiet. My taxes down there are so much less than they are in Lee's Summit. If my cars were titled down there my personal property tax would be less than half of what I pay in Lee's Summit.
I went to the store to get some groceries. The young girl at the register and I were talking. She told me that her young brother was autistic. She said that he was 12 years old. He was diagnosed at 4.
She said that she wanted to be an Occupational Therapist. She said that OT had made such a difference in her brother's life. I asked her where he went to school. She told me that it was the local elementary school.
I was so happy for her. But, it saddened me. My son didn't get OT after 5th grade. Oh, the professionals that I took him to said that he needed it, but Lee's Summit R7 just didn't see it that way. Of course, they didn't give him any services in middle school and very few in high school.
I wondered why a child in a very small school district would get more services and be given a better chance at success than a child that was in a school district that was supposed to be one of the best in Missouri. It is isn't because that small district has more money. They don't. Their tax levy is so much less than Lee's Summit's. Their tax levy is $2.8700. Lee's Summit's tax levy is $6.0627.
It makes one wonder. Maybe it is because we have a $12 million pool, an $8 million administration center, $250,000 band uniforms, artificial turf on our football fields, or our Superintendent is the highest paid in Missouri.
Whatever the reason is it makes me sad that my son didn't get what he needed and it wasn't because of resources. I have paid more in taxes and my son was left behind. I should have saved my money and moved to a district that cared.
Monday, June 9, 2014
Monday, June 2, 2014
Tragedy Narrowly Averted At Lake But Mayor Sacrifices Citizen Safety - Lee's Summit Tribune - Lee's Summit News
Tragedy Narrowly Averted At Lake But Mayor Sacrifices Citizen Safety - Lee's Summit Tribune - Lee's Summit News
Political Spin and Influence
The Lee’s Summit Tribune learned of this incident the week of May 12, but I was on the east coast and not in position to verify the story; and this story definitely required verification. I was unable to reach Chief Miller, so a management decision was made here at the paper to remove from the internet the original article and the accompanying commentary.
The Tribune’s concern was that the initial story was about an email that Mayor David Welsh allegedly wrote to members of the Board of Aldermen informing them of the incident. He also instructed the Aldermen to “keep this information within this group.” With the exception of city administrator Jill Cornett and Chief Miller, both included in the courtesy copy of the email, this email was sent to each Alderman’s personal email addresses, not their city email inbox. (The city did at one point have email issues but that was more than eighteen months ago; surely it has been repaired by now.) So why keep it off the radar? The complete text (with the exception of a redacted telephone number) is below:
The following information is provided for background. It is not expected it will appear in the local news, but in case it should, Chief Miller wanted you all to be aware of the incident. Your discretion is appreciated.
On Wednesday night (May 7) a woman (not a Lake Lotawana resident) stopped near Langsford Rd and Rt 7 with car trouble and was subsequently attacked by someone who had allegedly stopped to help her. The incident is under investigation by Chief Miller with the assistance from local agencies. The Chief will provide updates when appropriate. While this case is under investigation, please keep this information within this group. Thanks.
Dave Welsh
Mayor
Political Spin and Influence
The Lee’s Summit Tribune learned of this incident the week of May 12, but I was on the east coast and not in position to verify the story; and this story definitely required verification. I was unable to reach Chief Miller, so a management decision was made here at the paper to remove from the internet the original article and the accompanying commentary.
The Tribune’s concern was that the initial story was about an email that Mayor David Welsh allegedly wrote to members of the Board of Aldermen informing them of the incident. He also instructed the Aldermen to “keep this information within this group.” With the exception of city administrator Jill Cornett and Chief Miller, both included in the courtesy copy of the email, this email was sent to each Alderman’s personal email addresses, not their city email inbox. (The city did at one point have email issues but that was more than eighteen months ago; surely it has been repaired by now.) So why keep it off the radar? The complete text (with the exception of a redacted telephone number) is below:
The following information is provided for background. It is not expected it will appear in the local news, but in case it should, Chief Miller wanted you all to be aware of the incident. Your discretion is appreciated.
On Wednesday night (May 7) a woman (not a Lake Lotawana resident) stopped near Langsford Rd and Rt 7 with car trouble and was subsequently attacked by someone who had allegedly stopped to help her. The incident is under investigation by Chief Miller with the assistance from local agencies. The Chief will provide updates when appropriate. While this case is under investigation, please keep this information within this group. Thanks.
Dave Welsh
Mayor
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Police seek suspects after homeowner shot during break-in - KCTV5
Police seek suspects after homeowner shot during break-in - KCTV5
LEE'S SUMMIT, MO (KCTV) -
LEE'S SUMMIT, MO (KCTV) -
A Lee's Summit man is recovering after a terrifying attack at his own home.
The homeowner was shot in the leg during the violent home invasion about 4 a.m. Sunday in the 5600 block of Northeast Oaks Ridge Lane, located southwest of Missouri 291 and U.S. Highway 40.
Police said the man woke up to a noise at his back door. When he went to go check on it, he found three men breaking into his home. A fight then broke out, police said.
Neighbors said they heard between four and six gunshots. According to police, one of those struck the homeowner, leaving him with minor injuries. The suspects then took off without taking anything.
Lee's Summit police are interviewing the victim and witnesses to gather possible suspect descriptions. The motive for the burglary is still under investigation.
The home invasion has neighbors, like Joanne Martinez, worried about their safety.
"They are thinking now that they're going to have to get video cameras in front of their house to make sure it doesn't happen to them," she said. "When it happens in your backyard, it is a little scary, but overall it think the neighborhood is safe. It was an isolated incident."
Anyone with information is asked to call the Lee's Summit Police Department at 816-969-1700.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)